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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2007 > September > 02 > Entry
9/2: The judges in Philly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Idol” ended first-round auditions in Philly last week, but unlike other cities, moved immediately to second and third rounds, with Randy, Simon & Paula arriving Saturday.
I recall in the fall of 2002, the “Idol” PR folks actually let me watch about 20 minutes of the judging live. I didn’t see anybody who ultimately made the show. In fact, I probably only saw maybe five people total. But it was cool to be in there. Paula was absent that day but I got to hang a bit with Simon, Randy and Ryan.
The PR folks weren’t quite so generous in 2003, though I got to go into the audition room during a break and get my picture taken on the spot Fantasia would stand. And I got to hang out for a bit outside the audition room and interview Paula one on one. I was also able to interview contestants by name but again, I don’t recall running into anyone who ultimately made it into the final 12 season three.
Jonathan Storm, the Philly Inquirer TV critic wrote a rather lengthy color story, but it appeared he was forced to wait in the lobby, minimizing the actual color he was able to include. Plus, the parents and contestants weren’t allowed to talk to the media, though a few blabbered anonymously. He and other media got a few minutes with the judges and Ryan at a press conference. Naturally, he didn’t get much and it was relatively early in the auditions. So far, the judges weren’t that impressed but they had only seen about 15 contestants when the media asked them questions, only a small percentage of 100 to 150 they usually do see in an audition city.
My friend at the rival Philly Daily news Ellen Gray was there, too.. She got a modestly amusing quote from Simon:
- “A lot of the auditions are …the equivalent of eating water for lunch - it doesn’t leave you with anything,” Simon told reporters Saturday afternoon, reaching into his bag of similes for one that’s not likely to strike a chord in a city known for fattier fare.*
And he bitched and moaned about how he finds the process tedious at this point. On his seventh round here, plus multiple U.K. “Pop Idols” and “X Factors,” could you blame him?
I still haven’t gotten a firm date on when the Atlanta later-round auditions are. I’ll have to harass the PR folks next week again.
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